Mike L

I use a Phenix X11 composite rod. I got that specificly for the BR roadtrip we had in April as we were on Wilson Lake which I was told is a very deep lake and to bring every deep diving crank bait I had. I live in Fla so fishing a deep lake was totally new to me. Its max lure rating is 3 oz but I have no problem useing it for shallow cranks, traps, sq bills etc. Mike

Agree..If she was hanging around those overflow/drainage pipes chances are she lives there because of the very nature of those pipes...funneling food right to her. Next time I would use the same everything you did but have another rod rigged with a wacky worm, jig or something that would fall slow. You never know Mike

Been mixing my own for years...1/3 anise 2/3 baby oil. Mike

More than once...And will probably happen again. Mike

Thanks Fellas Mike

Autumn about 8-9 years ago at an old sand mine east of Gainesville Fla that my company turned into a hunting lodge when the veins ran out in the 70's. I don't hunt so when my customers left I grabbed an old Berkeley fishing pole that was in a shed, put a june bug brush hog on, made one cast and caught a 9.75. There was no live well in the boat's they had so I put her on a stringer and tied the other end to the oar support to show them when they got back. After about 10 min I started feeling bad and let her go. Many, many 5-8 Lb fish were caught in that pit over the years, but none bigger than my "Bertha" Not being able to go back there is one of the worst things about retiring Mike

Thanks Fellas I think I'll just do both and go from there. 8lb on the spinning, replacing the 20lb braid and leader And 15lb replacing the Invisex on my plastics combo. I guess the only way to know for sure going forward is to just bite the bullet. Thanks Mike

Howdy I'm gonna pick up a spool of Tatsu today as I've been wanting to try it given all the good reviews you guys post about it. But really dont know which application would be the most advantageous given the lines reputation. Better for use on a spinning set up...7' 6" M/F Cumara - shaky, wacky, grubs etc. [useing 20# braid with a 12 lb floro leader now] or better on a casting rod...bottom contact [plastics, jig's] or moving baits [cranks, spinners etc.] For you guys who use it... what technique? and at what size? do you think the line shines the most? Keep in mind I fish Florida's grassy shallow lakes, and canals. No deep water [20ft +] except for the occational scattered hole, rocky ledges, rivers [except the St. Johns] around here. Thanks Mike

Cut back about a 10 ft area and put it down and pickup your rod. Do that as you work your way around. You'll thank me later Mike

As Gulfcaptain says, submerged grass will be key IMHO. As they move when the sprayed area starts to die and the oxygen levels start to decline, the closest area to where they were is where they'll stop and move out for other cover elsewhere. Mike

Sweet Beaver Rage Structure Bug Tube Mike

Ever try to flip a fish in and misjudge it, and the fish hit's the gunnell and it gets off?? Yeah well I did once, and haven't tried since. I honestly still feel bad for the fish. Mike

You're exactly right Bill Sometimes it's hard to do that tho. I've been looking for another Techna for a while. E bay will probably be the only option. Mike

I'll use 2... Either a 7' Mh/F Fenwick Techna AV that went out of production about 3 yrs ago, but still the first one I pick up (Love that rod) Or a 7' 2" MH/F Phenix M1 for lighter weights. Mike

You think you know something because you've done it the same way for years.... You think you can compete with anyone who holds a rod... Until you read something like this.. Great Post!! Mike

Agree... Been useing the 7'0 X11 and love it. (X13 is same power but 7'6") It's thier designated deep diver rod but I use it for all cranking. The X10 is rated a little lighter. (X12 is 7'6") Mike

Looks about right to me... Mike

Some guys swear by them, some dont. Ive tried them also but I really can't say I've caught a fish because of them. Mike

Anaconda. ..4/0 straight shank hook with 1/16 bullet weight. Craw....Rage Rigged with a 5/0 Cut R....4/0 Skip gap All Texas rigged and fished top too bottom Mike Mike

The biggest bites for me have come on 10" red flake Anaconda, and a june bug Rage Craw. Mike

Curado I Curado E JM Sig Series In that order Mike

Rage Craw Mike

Whew!! I hear about way too many of these close calls... It's enough to make a grown man call for his Mama. Dont mess with a thunderstorm on the water fella's....Find shelter if you can....better yet head in when you know one's heading your way. Mike

You noticed that too! I thought I just got a bad package. Its one of the reasons Ive been useing the Rage Bug more and more. Mike

I use the SDJ for everything except braid (Palomar) But gonna try the Double SDJ for braid maybe this weekend. Mike